Connies in Laos

Been to the US a couple of times in the last couple of months. Amongst other things e.g. flying, more flying, I met a couple of very interesting people.

One of these guys is Charlie Riggs. This is the man who had to put an R4D down onto a public road in Fort Laurderdale in 2005 following an engine failure after take off (google search for details). As if this wasn’t exciting enough, Charlie’s experiences in Viet Nam really opened my eyes. His tales also included a lot of humour.

The other chap (can’t release his name at present) was a radio operator on Connies.

Our radio operator was telling me about some of their ops. Now, I knew that the US forces had managed to place listening devices along the Ho Chi Min trail. What I hadn’t realised is how they picked up the transmitted signals. Turns out they used Connies, designated as EC121’s, but no upper or lower radomes. These Connies were also painted upper surfaces camo. Bear in mind that the US were not officially in Laos. Well, these guys were there. Not only that, but they operated at heights not above 10,000 ft!!!. His calm but vivid portrayal of having to call in air support when they were attacked by a Mig was quite chilling.

He showed me a couple of pics of their aircraft. Sure enough, camo and no radomes.

I was wondering if anyone else heard of this interesting intel operation before?

camlobe